As the largest studio within NBRSARCHITECTURE, the Education Studio works for both public and private clients across all stages of learning.

The Studio’s approach is underpinned by a commitment to research and innovation which ensures that our designs remain at the forefront of education thinking. The team understand that 21st Century educational facilities should not only encourage learning, but should provide numerous possibilities for flexible learning, conducive to various teaching methods.

The team places great emphasis on engaging with teachers and key stakeholders. This is driven by a desire to create dynamic learning environments that positively affect academic performance and enhance the quality of life for students and staff.

Joelle Sarkis and Jonathan West lead the Studio.

Please direct all enquiries to Jonathan West or Joelle Sarkis. 

NBRS approaches the design and execution of performance and sporting facilities spaces with a combination of expertise from within the firm, as well as engaging in close partnership with specialist consultants, to collaborate with the client and stakeholders in order to form a comprehensive brief for the project.

The brief sometimes requires accommodating different types of performance related spaces into the one building, these being a mix of musical performance spaces, theatrical performance spaces, musical and vocal practice spaces, technical and recording laboratories, dance and drama spaces, back of house support spaces and associated public spaces. In the same way sporting performance also requires a high level of understanding of the different functions of the spaces.

The model of early childhood education has undergone a revolution in recent years, evolving from its roots in child-minding, where the primary focus was on enclosure and provision of basic supervision, to a holistic educational model that lays the foundations for future learning and development.

Stimulus inspired play makes up a core component of learning for young children. Access to and materials from the outdoor environment inspire children to explore and investigate the world around them beyond the confines of early learning centres, as well as allowing for children to engage in risk assessment and management behaviours which are critical to a holistic foundation for future learning.

Advances in early childhood pedagogy have cultivated a new generation of educators that approach the need to respect the rights and needs of children and are focused on a child-led curriculum. Early learning centres provide the setting for children to mature through active play environments that are flexible and engage with that variety of explorations that children undertake and allowing them to emerge as active and ready citizens of the community.